Pirn

ABSTRACT

A pirn is provided having a central tubular portion and an end cap which is retained in the tubular portion by an annular interior ferrule in engagement with a flange of the end cap. The pirn may also be provided with a central bearing and an additional end cap.

llnited States Patent [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/1937 Dunlap..........1.......1.v 3,107,067 10/1963 Atwood etal.

[72] Inventor RobertJulien Verviers, Belgium 866,578

Primary Examiner-George F. Mautz Att0rneyZachary T. Wobensmith, 2nd

[54] lPlllRN 5 Clams 2 Drawing Flgs' ABSTRACT: A pirn is provided having a central tubular por- [52] U.S.Cl...

tion and an end cap which is retained in the tubular portion by an annular interior ferrule in engagement with a flange of the end cap. The pirn may also be provided with a central bearing and an additional end cap.

30 2 u an 26H 21 m MS .5 d Ld mm .1] 0 55 [l PIRN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to pims and more particularly to end cap retaining structure for pirns.

2. Description of the Prior Art Pirns are widely used in many phases of the textile industry and in other industries where winding of filaments is desired.

Pirns usually include a central tubular portion, end cap and an outer covering. At least one of the end caps has a central hole and a recess to engage a driving member on a shaft so that a rotary motion may be imparted to the pirn.

Various arrangements have been proposed for retaining the end caps in the tubular portion but none has proven wholly satisfactory particularly for materials used for moulding the end cap as the caps tend to come loose during rotational operation.

The pirn of the present invention is easily assembled and the end caps do not loosen during use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A pirn is provided which utilizes an annular ferrule engaged with an inner flange portion of an end cap so as to force the flange of the end cap wall against the wall of the tubular portion or barrel and retain the end cap from axial or rotational movement relative to the tubular portion.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a pirn that is simple and inexpensive to construct but sturdy and reliable in operation.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a pirn that can be made from a variety of types of synthetic plastics, including nylon, without added cost.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the pirn of the present invention in assembled condition ready for use; and

FIG. 2 is an end view as seen from the top of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the pirn includes a barrel or tube 11 of generally cylindrical shape and open at both ends. The tubular portion 11 may be of any suitable material such as steel or aluminum tubing but other materials may be used as desired.

A lower end cap 15 is shown engaged in one end of the tube 11 which end cap 15 may be of any suitable tough resilient plastic material, moulded nylon being particularly suitable for this purpose. i

The end cap 15 is of cylindrical configuration, includes a transverse base 16 with an upwardly extending flange portion 17 which may be slightly internally tapered as an adjunct of the forming of the cap by moulding, and an exterior reduced diameter portion 18 which fits into tube 11 to shoulder 19. The base 16 has a recess 20 in the center formed by an inner straight wall 21 with a transverse plate 22 extending around the walls 21 and with a hole 23 in the center thereof to permit a shaft 24 to pass therethrough.

The shaft 24 has a nut 25 thereon which engages in a complemental recess 20 to rotate the pirn 10 as required.

The outer flange 18 has an inner annular ferrule 26, U- shaped in cross section, with one leg of the ferrule 26 engaged therewith. The ferrule 26 is of metal and is of an external diameter so as to exert outward pressure against the flange 18 thereby pressing it against the tube portion 11 to retain the end cap 15 therein.

A central bearing 30 is provided of well-known type above end cap 15 in tube 11 and having a hole 31 in the center thereof to support shaft 24.

An upper end cap 40 may be provided for closing the other end of tube 11. The end cap 40 is of cylindrical configuration with a transverse portion 41 which serves as a label holder, having a flange 42 extending therefrom and which may be slightly internally tapered from the moulding. The flange 42 has an exterior reduced diameter portion 43 which fits inside the tubular portion 1 l to the shoulder 44.

The flange 42 has an inner annular ferrule 45 similar or identical to the ferrule 26 engaged therewith forcing the flange 42 outwardly into gripping engagement with the tube 1 1.

The base 41 has an outer flange 50 with a peripheral groove 51 adjacent thereto into which an outer cover 52 is engaged and also with tube 11 and end cap 15.

The cover 52 is preferably of plastic sheet material in tubular form. The cover 52 is preferably engaged with an interference fit to the end caps 15 and 40 and the tube 11. The end cap 40 in the transverse portion 41 has a recess 53 for holding a label, with an access hole 54 in the center thereof.

It will thus be seen that a pirn has been provided which is of superior construction.

I claim: 1. A pirn which comprises a tube, at least one end cap engaged in said tube, said end cap having a transverse portion and a flange portion extending from said transverse portion into said tube,

the interior surface of said flange portion being tapered toward said transverse portion and decreasing in transverse dimension toward said transverse portion, and

a rigid annular member interiorly disposed in said flange portion in engagement with said tapered interior surface and positioned to urge said flange portion into gripping engagement with said tube.

2. A pirn as defined in claim 1 in which said annular member is a ring-shaped ferrule.

3. A pirn as defined in claim 1 in which said annular member is a circular ferrule U-shaped in cross section and with one leg thereof engaged with said tapered surface of said flange portion.

4. A pirn as defined in claim 1 in which a second end cap is engaged in said tube in the end opposite to the first end cap.

5. A pirn as defined in claim 4 in which a cover is provided in engagement with said tube and at least one of said end caps, and

said end cap has an end groove into which a terminal end of the cover extends.

said end cap has an end groove into which a terminal end of the cover extends. 

1. A pirn which comprises a tube, at least one end cap engaged in said tube, said end cap having a transverse portion and a flange portion extending from said transverse portion into said tube, the interior surface of said flange portion being tapered toward said transverse portion and decreasing in transverse dimension toward said transverse portion, and a rigid annular member interiorly disposed in said flange portion in engagement with said tapered interior surface and positioned to urge said flange portion into gripping engagement with said tube.
 2. A pirn as defined in claim 1 in which said annular member is a ring-shaped ferrule.
 3. A pirn as defined in claim 1 in which said annular member is a circular ferrule U-shaped in cross section and with one leg thereof engaged with said tapered surface of said flange portion.
 4. A pirn as defined in claim 1 in which a second end cap is engaged in said tube in the end opposite to the first end cap.
 5. A pirn as defined in claim 4 in which a cover is provided in engagement with said tube and at least one of said end caps, and said end cap has an end groove into which a terminal end of the cover extends. said end cap has an end groove into which a terminal end of the cover extends. 